Analysis
A $46,000 first-year salary based on comparable mathematics programs in Colorado falls just shy of the national median for this degree, though the debt load—estimated around $21,760 from similar programs at public universities in the state—is entirely manageable. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.47 means graduates would need less than half their first-year salary to cover their total borrowing, positioning them well for financial stability early in their careers.
What's harder to assess is how CSU Pueblo's specific program stacks up against competitors. The state's top mathematics programs show considerable variation, from Metro State's near-$49,000 outcomes to CU Boulder's surprisingly lower $41,000 figure. Without actual graduate data from CSU Pueblo, it's unclear whether their open-admission model and lower SAT scores translate to different career trajectories than more selective Colorado schools, or whether mathematics majors succeed regardless of where they study in the state.
The fundamentals look sound: reasonable debt paired with earnings that should allow steady loan repayment. But if your child has the academic profile for more selective Colorado programs with documented outcomes, comparing their specific placement rates and employer connections would be worth the effort. For students who need the access that open admission provides, peer programs suggest this could work financially.
Where Colorado State University Pueblo Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all mathematics bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Colorado
Mathematics bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Colorado (17 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $9,401 | $46,252* | — | $21,760* | — | |
| $10,017 | $52,695* | $67,691 | $27,000* | 0.51 | |
| $10,780 | $48,997* | $60,567 | $33,279* | 0.68 | |
| $12,896 | $47,835* | $58,736 | $21,020* | 0.44 | |
| $12,010 | $44,668* | $48,902 | $20,700* | 0.46 | |
| $16,430 | $41,176* | $68,103 | $20,960* | 0.51 | |
| National Median | — | $48,772* | — | $21,500* | 0.44 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with mathematics graduates
Natural Sciences Managers
Clinical Research Coordinators
Water Resource Specialists
Data Scientists
Business Intelligence Analysts
Clinical Data Managers
Mathematicians
Statisticians
Biostatisticians
Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
Mathematical Science Occupations, All Other
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Colorado State University Pueblo, approximately 28% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 6 similar programs in CO. Actual outcomes may vary.